by Donna Grant
“Not exactly.”
“Lass, are you being purposefully irritating?”
Synne blew out a breath and glanced at him. “I’m just not sure I’m ready to tell you what happened.”
“Because you doona think I can handle it?”
“Because I’m still coming to terms with it.”
Ah. Now that made much more sense. Before Lachlan could ask another question, Synne clicked to the mare, and the horse started galloping again. It was another grueling day of travel, but Lachlan didn’t care. He’d felt the need to put some distance between himself and their enemies from the moment he woke.
A few clouds dispersed enough that he caught glimpses of blue sky. Not that he expected them to get lucky and have the snow or rain leave them alone for long. And he didn’t mind being behind Synne at all. He quite liked that she took charge whenever she wanted. Whoever she had spoken to must have had a lot to say because Synne still hadn’t said anything to him.
When noon came, he pulled on the reins near a river and whistled to Synne. She looked back at him and nodded before halting her mare and dismounting. Lachlan landed on the ground beside her and dropped the reins so the gelding could drink. He then searched his bags for the waterskin and two of the last remaining oatcakes. He tossed one to Synne, who smiled her thanks.
When he found a rock to sit on and dusted off the snow, Synne sat next to him. She picked at the snack. He didn’t pressure her to speak since it was obvious that she had a lot on her mind.
“I met my grandmother.”
He slid his eyes to her as he turned his head, surprised by her words. “I didna know you had one.”
“Neither did I until this morning. She’s…she’s not what I expected.”
“Family rarely is.” He swallowed his bite of oatcake. “How did she find you?”
Synne finally met his gaze. “The trees.”
“So, that’s where you get your ability.”
Synne nodded before a single tear slipped free and fell down her cheek. She hastily wiped it away and sniffed. “I don’t know why I’m crying.”
“You found family you didna know you had. There’s no reason no’ to rejoice in that or feel grief for no’ having your parents around.”
“You’re right.”
He flashed her a smile and teased, “I usually am.” That made her chuckle, which was what he wanted. “Why did she no’ come with us?”
“I want to tell you, but I don’t know how you’ll react.”
“My grandmother was a witch, lass,” he said with a smile. “I think I can handle it.”
Synne blew out a breath and faced him. “Asrail is a Gira. She was once their queen.”
Lachlan waited for Synne to start laughing to let him know that she was jesting, but it never happened. That’s when it hit him that she was being serious. “A Gira? The beings you’re scared of?”
“Do you remember the dream I told you about?”
He cocked an eyebrow at her. “The nightmare, you mean?”
“Aye. I told you there was a Gira reaching for me.”
“Did this Asrail tell you that it was she?”
Synne slowly nodded. “My father was her son.”
Lachlan honestly didn’t think he could be shocked any more, then Synne left him reeling. “Her son? But…how?”
“Asrail found a witch to help my father turn human so he could be with my mother. They hid for a long time, but then they had me. Asrail said she stayed away, but when she found out about me, she wanted to see him and me. Other Gira followed her without her knowledge. They learned the truth and demanded our deaths and that my grandmother step down as queen. My father and mother attempted to talk to them while Asrail protected me. When the Gira turned on my parents, it was Asrail who stepped between them and me. She hid me for a while before she realized that they would keep tracking her. She knew of Edra, and left me near her so I could be found. Eventually, the Gira caught up with Asrail. She was attacked and lost her arm. They left her for dead, but she fought her way back, and has been searching for me ever since.”
Lachlan ran a hand down his face. “That is quite a story.”
“It is. I think I took it about as well as you are.”
He looked at her and the tense moment eased as they shared a laugh. Lachlan covered her hand with his. “You believe her story?”
“I can’t explain why, but aye, I do.”
“You need to trust yourself.”
“And if I’m wrong?” she asked.
He shrugged. “We’ll deal with it. Listen to what she told you. If she gives a warning, heed it. But always give yourself an out.”
“Think about the worst.”
“Well, more accurately, take it all in stride. Believe her if you must but also be prepared that it might be lies. Then, you’ll be pleasantly surprised if it is the truth.”
Synne turned her hand so their palms brushed, and their fingers twined. “How will I ever know? That’s the first time I’ve spoken with a Gira.”
“Maybe we’ll find another.”
“Asrail told me that they’ve known of the Varroki but didn’t tell the Coven. Nor did they tell the Varroki where the Coven elders were. She said the Gira chose themselves, not a side.”
Lachlan twisted his lips. “That was probably a smart move.”
Synne was silent for a moment as she looked at their joined hands. “Asrail was nice.”
“She warned you about the witch and told you where to find the Varroki?”
“Aye,” Synne said and looked into his eyes. “Why?”
“She didna have to do that.”
Synne worried her lip with her teeth. “That wasn’t all she told me.”
“Oh? What else did she say?”
Instead of answering, Synne’s gaze moved away as her face lined with worry.
“Lass, what is it?” he pressed.
“I’ve not just been thinking over the fact that I’m part Gira, and that’s how I communicate with trees. There’s something else I’ve been thinking about, trying to determine if it’s even possible.”
Lachlan chuckled and shook his head. “From what I’m learning, anything is possible.”
“You said your grandmother was a witch.” Synne’s head swiveled back to him, her amber eyes watching him closely.
“Aye, she was.”
“Did she ever speak of the First Witch?”
He thought about that for a moment before he said, “No’ that I can recall. She was careful about what she said around others.”
“I would’ve been, as well. Did she say anything about spelling the sword you now carry?”
His brows snapped together. “I thought we already spoke about this. I had no idea she’d done it until I fought that witch.”
“Then there’s a chance she didn’t spell it.”
“I suppose,” he said with a shrug. “What are you getting at, lass?”
Synne bit her lip again as she frowned.
“Lass,” he pushed. “Just say whatever it is you’re afraid to say.”
“Asrail said that a finger bone of the First Witch is inside the hilt of your sword. It’s the bone Sybbyl is looking for.”
24
Blackglade
Armir couldn’t remember ever feeling so anxious before. He paced the confines of his chambers as his mind went over the last conversation he’d had with Malene. As he’d watched her grow into her role as Lady of the Varroki, he couldn’t help but be proud. He’d always pushed Malene hard, probably harder than he should have at times, but he’d known she could handle it.
And she’d proven that there was little she was afraid of.
In all his years as Commander, he’d stood beside many Ladies, but not one of them could compare to Malene. She had fought against her destiny like nearly all the girls that he’d brought to Blackglade did. But she was the only one who had fully accepted her role and embraced it. That was the difference between her and all those who had come befor
e her. Malene was the one the Quarter prophesied. The Quarter, the seers of the Varroki, were reclusive yet freely shared such things. They had long foretold the one who would lead the Varroki into a new age. Malene was that one. Armir knew it in his bones.
The fact that she was willing to give her life for the Varroki proved how she had come to accept them—and Blackglade—as her home. The one thing he wouldn’t do was simply stand by when he could be preparing her.
Armir stalked to his door and threw it open before he strode outside to the stairs and took them two at a time to the top of the tower that housed Malene’s chambers. He knocked, and none other than Helena opened the door.
The witch smiled at him, her green eyes crinkling at the corners. “Hello.”
He gave a nod of his head while his gaze searched for Malene. He found her at the table, reading. Ever since she’d learned how to read, she had devoured every book she could get her hands on. She paused and looked up as he entered, her lips curving into a smile.
How easy it would be for him to believe that she cared about him. Armir knew better than to allow himself that bit of fantasy, however. It would only lead him down a road of misery he couldn’t come back from. It didn’t matter that Malene had changed the rules that allowed his position to marry and father children now. In his mind, his duty was solely to her. Besides, there was no one he wanted.
Well, no one but her.
“I, um, I think I’ll go,” Helena said and hurried out, closing the door behind her.
Armir frowned as he stared at the door. “What was that about?
“You do have a rather fierce look about you today,” Malene said with a chuckle. “I gather that’s why you’re here.”
“It is.”
She marked the page she was on and closed the book before she got to her feet to face him. “All right. I’m listening.”
“It’s time for training with battle magic.”
“You’ve shown me already.”
Armir blew out a breath. “I’ve barely scratched the surface of what there is. Magic comes easily to you now, but there is a difference in using it to light a fire versus protecting yourself or hurting an enemy.”
Malene swallowed as she thought about that for a moment. “Sybbyl could arrive any day. The training you speak of takes years, not hours or days.”
“Whatever you can learn now could save your life.”
“Hmm,” she said as she pursed her lips. “Let me ask you a question. If I didn’t have the blue radiance in both hands, would you be talking to me about battle magic? Or would you be considering finding a place to hide me from the Coven?”
Armir clasped his hands behind his back as he walked to the open window and looked out at the churning sea. The clouds had dispersed, but they would be back soon. Winters were always harsh. “The Coven has never come for us before. I’d be teaching battle magic regardless.” He turned to face her then. “You’re the Lady of the Varroki, the one we follow. Aye, my job is to guide you and protect you when need be—which I freely do. However, we need a leader, and if that means I have to take you out of the battle, I will.”
“You will not,” she stated in an icy tone.
“I will,” he replied. “There’s a greater chance I’ll stand beside you fighting instead of taking you away if you know how to do battle magic.”
She looked away, her lips flattening. Finally, she nodded and returned her gaze to his. “You’ve made your point. Let’s get started.”
For the next two hours, he didn’t let up as he pushed her harder and harder. The fact that she soaked up everything he taught her proved how great her magic was. It frightened him how quickly she was growing in power. He wasn’t scared because he was jealous of her magic, but because he knew that if she were aware of just how powerful she was, she wouldn’t hesitate to go out and try to find Sybbyl herself, taking the battle away from the Varroki so no lives would be lost.
Armir couldn’t chance that happening. He hadn’t lied. The Varroki needed Malene. His people were strong and courageous but also set in their ways. Malene had begun as just another Lady who balked at what Fate had given her and reluctantly did her duty. But then Malene had changed. She had sought to know everything about her role and the Varroki. Then, she had set out to change things for the better.
Not everyone was thrilled with the changes she’d made, but they were slowly coming to see that Malene did it to ensure that the Varroki prospered instead of their numbers continuing to decline at such a rapid rate.
“You’re worried,” Malene said after she lowered the cup of water she’d finished.
Armir didn’t try to lie to her. “You should be, as well. None of the Coven has ever gotten their hands on a bone of the First Witch before.”
“That’s true, but then again, we have the Living Heart. Braith, as Warden of the Blood Skull fights with us, as well.”
“Maybe. He isn’t here, though, is he? He’s at his castle.”
“It doesn’t matter where he is. No one in the Coven, not even Sybbyl, will get their hands on the skull. The Blood Skull is the most powerful piece of the First Witch. Everyone knows that. But I think the Heart is the second strongest.”
“Every bone of the First Witch holds triple the amount of magic that any witch or warlock wields. Sybbyl was already strong. If she finds another bone…”
“It won’t do any good,” Malene said over him. “She could find every other bone of the First Witch, and it wouldn’t matter.”
The conviction in her words brought Armir up short. He was reminded of the dream Malene had had of Trea, the First Witch, coming back to life. Had Malene had another vision? Her dreams weren’t like other people’s. Malene’s dreams sometimes were a gateway into someone’s life. She’d seen Helena’s and Jarin’s battle with Sybbyl in just such a dream.
“I’m all right,” Malene told him. “I see the worry on your face, but you don’t need to be concerned.”
“Of course, I do.”
She chuckled, shaking her head. “You don’t.”
“Did you have another dream about Trea?” Malene hesitated, and it was all the answer he needed. “You did.”
“Not exactly. I had the same dream. Exactly the same dream.”
Armir leaned his shoulder against the wall and thought about that for a moment. “Everything was exactly the same?”
“Everything.”
“That isn’t normal, is it?”
Malene barked a laugh. “I can’t say there is much about my life that is normal. I’m here as Lady of the Varroki to keep the shield up so the Coven and outside world can’t find Blackglade. That’s my sole job.”
“Not your only job,” he interjected.
She shrugged. “Pretty much. When was the last time a Lady took it upon themselves to change the laws?”
“None lasted long enough or cared deeply enough to try. Until you.”
“The prophecy,” she said in a low voice. “You wanted to keep that from me.”
“You have enough on your shoulders.”
She inhaled deeply and softly blew out a breath while looking at the ceiling. Her gaze lowered to Armir. “I’m capable of handling this.”
“I know.” He knew it all too well, actually. In fact, he was beginning to suspect that she didn’t need him at all. That’s how capable Malene was.
She said nothing more as she faced him, letting him know that she was ready for more practice. Armir complied, though his mind wasn’t completely in it. He was thinking about the upcoming battle as well as his future role.
He was so lost in thought that the next thing he knew, he was on his back with Malene standing over him, the blue radiance in her palms shining brightly as she held her hands over him with one foot on his chest. She was breathing heavily as she stepped back and lowered her hands.
“You either let me beat you, or your mind was elsewhere,” Malene said.
He got to his feet and tried to keep his wounded pride from bothering him. “
I don’t try by letting my students win anything.”
“So, your mind was elsewhere.” She poured more water and handed him a cup. “Want to tell me what has taken you away from our training? I hope it wasn’t me.”
Armir drank the water and walked to place the wooden cup on the table. “You excel more every day.”
“I thought that would make you happy.”
“It does,” he hurried to say. “But I’ve also come to realize that you don’t need anyone to guide you.”
She grew very still. “Are you saying you want to step aside?”
“Never. I’ll stand beside you always. What I’m saying is that you’re more than capable of continuing on without anyone else.”
Malene turned and walked to the hearth, staring into the flames. “When you first brought me here, I was kept in these chambers away from others.”
“So you could learn your position and all it entailed.”
“I was still a child, taken from my home and family and thrust into a place I didn’t know or want to be.”
Armir had heard it many times from other Ladies. He couldn’t imagine what they went through, but it wasn’t for him to change the way things were done. That wasn’t his position. “I’m sorry.”
“You said that every day.” She glanced his way. “I believed you then, and I believe you now. For many, many months, yours was the only face I saw. You were the only person I spoke with. When I was able to venture out, I didn’t want to. At first, I thought this place a prison, but it’s my home. I might not like how I was brought here, but I know this is where I belong.”
“It has been a long time since any Lady has said those words.”
“The magic chooses who is the Lady of the Varroki. I couldn’t change that even if I wanted to. But the one thing I don’t want to change is you being my second in command. You might think I can do this alone, but I’m telling you I can’t. The only reason I’m able to do what I’ve done is because I know you’re here.”
Armir fought the need to go to her and touch her. For so long, he had been forbidden to touch a Lady of the Varroki. That might have changed with Malene’s decree, but he still didn’t freely touch her as he wanted. “And I’m telling you that you don’t need anyone, especially me. I’ll be here, and I’ll remain in this position for as long as you want me. But you’re stronger than any Varroki. I’ve not wanted to tell you because I was worried what you might do. Now, I realize it doesn’t matter how much I worry. You’ll do whatever you want to do.”
